AN Echo investigation has revealed new details over the illegal dumping of rubbish at a farm in Basildon.

Residents living near Claremont Farm in Burnt Mills Road, have claimed for months a large field behind their homes is being used for the illegal dumping of building spoil, tradesmens’ waste and other rubbish.

Tony Cooper, 44, who manages the farm, says he is the victim of fly tippers.

The Echo has been monitoring the land to dicover what is happening.

Our probe found on nine different occasions, the access gates were wide open, allowing small or large trucks to drive in and dump waste.

On Saturday morning, our reporter followed two unmarked tipper lorries filled with what appeared to be a mixture of soil and other waste material, from a legitimate waste transfer site, in East London.

They were driven to Claremont Farm, about 20 minutes apart, where the waste was tipped, next to scores of other mounds of what appeared to be the same material.

The activity is in breach of Basildon Council stop notices served in February, which ban any dumping of soil, rubble or rubbish at the site.

If the council prosecutes, Mr Cooper could face a hearing in the magistrates’ court.

Residents, who have passed logs of the activity to the council, told the Echo there were about 20 loads dumped by the vehicles on Saturday, and a similar amount on Sunday.

They say the weekend dumping has taken place for the past two months and have reported it to the Environment Agency, which is responsible for policing illegal waste disposal.

An agency spokeswoman said: “Basildon Council is carrying out enforcement action we do not wish to duplicate. So at this stage, we are supporting its investigations.

“We will consider what enforcement action to take once the council has concluded ongoing enforcement action.”

Martin Kearney, Basildon Council’s principal planning officer, said: “The council is taking action in relation to the unlawful use of the land.”

Mr Cooper said: “There has been some dumping happening, but I have been in the High Court all week.

“I am already suing lots of people, including the council, because of the way my name is being associated with this.”

* Anyone with information about the dumping can call Jon Austin, in confidence, on 01268 469304 or e-mail jon.austin@nqe.com